Making Mathematics Engaging

Saturday, July 16, 2016

Buffalo State College, Buffalo, NY

Hosted by

WNY Master Teachers

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Schedule of Events

8:15 - 9:00 Registration and refreshments

SAMC Atrium (see pgs. 16 and 17 for maps)

9:00 - 9:45 Session I

10:00 - 11:00 Keynote Speaker: Dr. Gokul Krishnan

Bulger Communication Center South Meeting Room

11:15 - 12:15 Open Space Meetings

(see pg. 9)

12:30 - 1:30 Lunch

SAMC Atrium

1:45 - 2:30 Session II

2:45 - 3:30 Session III

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Notes

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Overview of Presentations

1. Gamification, take your class to the next level!

2. Show me the money!

3. Teaching Math with Google Apps*

4. The Math Starts Here: Practical Strategies that Foster Student

Thinking and Construction of Knowledge

5. Keeping students engaged in trigonometry - if you have for-

gotten your trig or never felt comfortable with trig, this is the ses-

sion for you!

6. EVERYDATA: Helping Students Understand the Misinformation in

the Little Data They Consume Every Day*

7. Using a Rekenrek to Build Number Sense in K-3 Mathematics

Session I 9:00 - 9:45

Julie Tette

Amy Balling

Amy Boutet

Nilam Yagielski

Elizabeth Kent

Mike Gluck

Nirmala Nutakki

Session 2 1:45 - 2:30

8. Geometry of the Pythagorean Theorem - Interactive Proofs, and

Extension Activities

9. Building Fluency in Math Facts Through Reasoning

10. Using a Manipulative to find the Area of a Sector

11. How can we engage English Language Learners in math class?

How can we reach kids who don’t speak the same language?

Denea Czapla

Darlene Rombola

Jane Cushman

Elizabeth Kent

5

Overview Cont’d

Session 3 2:45 - 3:30

12. Facilitating Problem Based Lessons*

13. Manipulatives as Tools for Thinking: Building Number Sense in

the Grade 1 Classroom **Note: This is Part 1 of a Double Session

14. EVERYDATA: Helping Students Understand the Misinformation

in the Little Data They Consume Every Day*

Michael Pawlikowski

Nirmala Nutakki

Mike Gluck

Session 2 Cont’d 1:45 - 2:30

15. The Math/Technology Interface

16. Confidence with Confidence Intervals

17. Teaching Math with Google Apps*

18. Facilitating Problem Based Lessons*

19. Manipulatives as Tools for Thinking: Building Number Sense in

the Grade 1 Classroom **Note: This is Part 2 of a Double Session

20. Online Science Simulations Provide Data to Address Mathe-

matical Thinking

21. Engaging Students in the Geometry Classroom: A Hands-on Ap-

proach

Jeff Yap

Alan Ingraham

Amy Boutet

Mike Pawlikowski

Nirmala Nutakki

Chris Shively

Steven Solazzo

*Presentation is offered at two different times.

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Session I 9:00 - 9:45

1. PreK - 12 Room 263

Gamification, take your class to the next level!

Julie Tette, Lockport High School

Gamification, or game-based learning, is applying principles of (video) game design to instructional

scaffolding. Gamification is based on the concepts that learning should be compelling, failure is a valid

technique, and progression can be leveled. We will explore different techniques (Game design, leveling,

and badges) and technology tools (Moodle, Classcraft, Google Classroom, etc.) that can be used to effec-

tively implement it and evaluate different gaming strategies.

2. PreK - 12 Room 170

Show me the money!

Amy Balling, Lancaster High School

Many teachers spend hours of their own time at home to create activities for their students. Learn how

to take these resources and make some money on Teachers Pay Teachers! We will discuss the experienc-

es I have had and advice for creating and selling your own.

SAMC

3. PreK - 1 Room 266

Teaching Math with Google Apps*

Amy Boutet, Grand Island High School

This session will focus on utilizing Google Apps for your math classroom. Users should have a Google ac-

count. Participants will practice using Google Apps to support Common Core math instruction.

4. 6 - 12 Room 172

The Math Starts Here: Practical Strategies that Foster Student Thinking and Construction of Knowledge

Nilam Yagielski, Sweet Home High School

This focus of this presentation is to share practices that shift the learning of mathematics on the student

by (1) providing access to mathematics in a meaningful way, (2) using strategies that capitalize on stu-

dent thinking, and (3) using the student’s thinking to construct the mathematics. These practices have

allowed our students to make the transition from procedural to conceptual understanding as required by

the Common Core Standards. Participants will take on the role of the student as they engage in the class-

room lesson.

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Session I Cont’d 9:00 - 9:45

5. 9 - 12 Room 259

Keeping students engaged in trigonometry - if you have forgotten your trig or never felt com-

fortable with trig, this is the session for you!

Elizabeth Kent, Lafayette High School

Trigonometry is one of the most useful areas in math but often is intimidating to both teachers and stu-

dents. Come learn how to graph trig functions and how to use trig in real life. We will be using the unit

circle and special triangles to make wikistix trig function graphs. We'll also be using string and protractors

to juryrig sextants to calculate heights and distances.

6. 6 - 12 Room 106

EVERYDATA: Helping Students Understand the Misinformation in the Little Data They Consume

Every Day*

Mike Gluck, Gluck Works

Will using an iPhone really make you smarter? How did a sampling error lead to the Space Shuttle Chal-

lenger disaster? Why does an average deputy mayor make more than an average mayor? These are a

few of the questions Mike will explore, based on real-world examples from his recent book, EVERYDATA.

If you like statistics, you'll love this presentation.

7. PreK - 5 Room 173

Using a Rekenrek to Build Number Sense in K - 3 Mathematics

Nirmala Nutakki, SUNY Buffalo State College

In this presentation, participants will use 20-bead and 100-bead rekenreks to work through a sequence

of tasks that develop these key ideas in the K-3 number strand: subitizing; counting; composing and de-

composing numbers; place value, and addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division strategies. We

will also share video clips and samples of student work.

SAMC

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Keynote Address

Dr. Gokul Krishnan is the creator and founder of Maker Therapy—a learning approach developed

specifically for children with chronic illnesses in mind. Krishnan has a background in engineering and

education. He holds a B.E. in manufacturing engineering from the Institute of Technology in India, as

well as a M.S. in mechanical engineering from UC Riverside. In 2015, he earned a Ph.D. in learning

sciences from Peabody College of Education in Tennessee. Krishnan has experience with developing

STEM curriculum. He has also taught at the elementary and middle school levels and has served as a

designer/mentor for a STEM magnet middle school. Krishnan has been recognized for his work and

innovations with Maker Therapy and was recently named “Honorary Maker” by the White House in

June of 2015.

For more information on Dr. Krishnan or the Make Therapy approach, please visit

www.makertherapy.com. One can also follow Dr. Krishnan on Twitter @gokulck or follow

@makertherapy.

10:00 - 11:00 Bulger South

Maker Therapy: Healthier Patients, One Maker at a Time

Dr. Gokul Krishnan

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Open Space Meetings 11:15 - 12:15

Choose from the following options:

Strategy Share (Elementary Level)…………………………………………………………Room 169

Strategy Share (Middle & High School Level)…………………………………………Room 170

Concept Connections…………………………………………………………………………….Room 172

Technology in the Class………………………………………………………………………….Room 173

Meaningful Assessment…………………………………………………………………………Room 175

Students with Special Needs………………………………………………………………….Room 176

The Essential Principles

Whoever comes is the right person.

Whatever happens is the only thing that could have.

Whenever it starts is the right time.

When it’s over, it’s over.

The law of two feet applies.

So, feel free to move if you are not learning, contributing or don’t have fun.

SAMC

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Lunch 12:30 - 1:30

Swing by the SAMC Atrium for lunch! Feel free to use the classrooms as additional seating

space.

Please use this time as an opportunity to pick up your whiteboards!

(see tent outside of SAMC near the main entrance)

SAMC

We invite you to participate in NYS Master Teacher Program math and science mini-courses during the 2016-2017 school year. Select 12-hour mini-courses are open to all WNY K-8 teachers (and HS teachers for content outside their primary area) to deepen understanding of K-8 science and math content. Tentative titles are below and dates are TBA. See msmt.buffalostate.edu for specific dates and course descriptions beginning in August.

Mathematical Landscapes for Learning: Strategies, Big Ideas and Models for thinking across grades k-8.

Let There Be Light

Energy, Matter, & Ecosystems

Evolution and Heredity

Nudging Newton: Force and Motion

MTP Mini - Courses

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Session II 1:45 - 2:30

10. 9 - 12 Room 259

Using a Manipulative to find the Area of a Sector

Jane Cushman, SUNY Buffalo State College

First, the directions on how to make the manipulative will be discussed (you will leave with a class set).

The CCSSM standard covered is C.B.5: "Derive using similarity the fact that the length of the arc inter-

cepted by an angle is proportional to the radius, and define the radian measure of the angle as the con-

stant of proportionality; derive the formula for the area of a sector." Various vertical curricular alignment

of the manipulative will also be discussed.

8. 6 - 12 Room 169

Geometry of the Pythagorean Theorem - Interactive Proofs, and Extension Activities

Denea Czapla, Oakfield - Alabama

Experience how I prove the Pythagorean Theorem with my students, use it to review geometric ideas of

congruence and similarity, and extend students' geometric understanding of polygons beyond the stand-

ards. The presentation will be a combination of working through visual proofs and in class tasks, and a

discussion concerning the development and implementation of the materials. These activities are appro-

priate for use at both the middle school and high school level. Attendees will receive paper and electron-

ic copies of the materials I use with my students.

9. PreK - 5 Room 170

Building Fluency in Math Facts Through Reasoning

Darlene Rombola, Orchard Park Central Schools

Learning Math Facts through reasoning will help students to build number sense as well fluency. In this

presentation we will take the Concrete to Pictorial to Abstract (C-P-A) approach to learning addition, sub-

traction and multiplication strategies for the basic facts.

SAMC

12

Session II Cont’d 1:45 - 2:30

13. PreK - 5 Room 176

Manipulatives as Tools for Thinking: Building Number Sense in the Grade 1 Classroom

Nirmala Nutakki, SUNY Buffalo State College

A common criticism of the K-3 Common Core Standards in mathematics is that they are too ambitious --

that they require students to master facts and skills for which they are not developmentally ready. We

have found rekenreks, Digi-Blocks, and number balances to be powerful tools for developing number

sense and a deep understanding of the arithmetic operations in a manner wholly consistent with the K-3

content standards and the mathematical practices standards. We will share tasks, video clips, and sam-

ples of student work.

11. PreK - 12 Room 173

How can we engage English Language Learners in math class? How can we reach kids who

don't speak the same language?

Elizabeth Kent, Lafayette High School

How can we teach kids who don't speak English? How can we encourage kids to learn cooperatively

when they don't speak a common language? Stephen Krashen said we need to teacher through

"comprehensible input." Learn what that is and learn some tricks of the trade from an ESL certified

teacher. Be prepared to move around and learn to learn a new language in this session.

12. 6 - 12 Room 172

Facilitating Problem Based Lessons*

Michael Pawlikowski, SUNY Geneseo

I will discuss how to set the stage for posing problems to students in order to increase engagement and

strengthen their problem solving abilities. I will also discuss strategies within a problem-based lesson

that can foster mathematical understanding and reinforce the Standards for Mathematical Practice.

1 of 2 DOUBLE SESSION 1:45 - 3:30

SAMC

13

Session II Cont’d 1:45 - 2:30

14. 6 - 12 Room 106

EVERYDATA: Helping Students Understand the Misinformation in the Little Data They Consume

Every Day*

Mike Gluck, Gluck Works

Will using an iPhone really make you smarter? How did a sampling error lead to the Space Shuttle Chal-

lenger disaster? Why does an average deputy mayor make more than an average mayor? These are a

few of the questions Mike will explore, based on real-world examples from his recent book, EVERYDATA.

If you like statistics, you'll love this presentation.

SAMC

14

Session III 2:45 - 3:30

16. 9 - 12 Room 170

Confidence with Confidence Intervals

Alan Ingraham, Lewiston - Porter High School

Why do we use confidence intervals in statistics? What assumptions are made before we create them?

What do they tell us? We will work through a hands-on activity in which we attempt to answer these

questions and develop a deeper understanding of some of the other concepts and ideas around confi-

dence intervals in the Common Core Algebra 2 and AP Statistics curricula.

15. 9 - 12 Room 169

The Math/Technology Interface

Jeff Yap, Williamsville South High School

The use of physical manipulatives or toys to understand concepts or simply to grab the attention of the

students can be helpful to the classroom setting. Several objects will be demonstrated, and instructions

on the independent manufacture and usage will be presented. Presenters will lay out several (approx.

20) easily(*) manufacturable items in different categories (wood, 3D printed, paper, etc.). Each item will

have a paper listing the instructions for manufacture, the instructions for use, and some of the possible

classroom applications for that item. Attendees will walk around and handle the items as the presenters

will be there for individual questions.

17. PreK - 12 Room 266

Teaching Math with Google Apps*

Amy Boutet, Grand Island High School

This session will focus on utilizing Google Apps for your math classroom. Users should have a Google ac-

count. Participants will practice using Google Apps to support Common Core math instruction.

18. 6 - 12 Room 172

Facilitating Problem Based Lessons*

Michael Pawlikowski, SUNY Geneseo

I will discuss how to set the stage for posing problems to students in order to increase engagement and

strengthen their problem solving abilities. I will also discuss strategies within a problem-based lesson

that can foster mathematical understanding and reinforce the Standards for Mathematical Practice.

SAMC

15

Session III Cont’d 2:45 - 3:30

20. PreK - 5 Room 173

Online Science Simulations Provide Data to Address Mathematical Thinking

Chris Shively, SUNY Buffalo State College

Many PhET (Physics Education Technology) Science simulations enable young math students to conduct

science investigations that produce quantifiable data that teachers can use to develop math problems.

The authors of the Next Generation Science Standards call for students to use mathematics as they mim-

ic scientific and engineering practices. In this presentation three PhET simulations will be demonstrated.

For each PhET demonstration, teachers will be shown how to provide access to the simulations, see how

the simulations produce quantifiable data and how that data can address standards.

19. PreK - 5 Room 176

Manipulatives as Tools for Thinking: Building Number Sense in the Grade 1 Classroom

Nirmala Nutakki, SUNY Buffalo State College

A common criticism of the K-3 Common Core Standards in mathematics is that they are too ambitious --

that they require students to master facts and skills for which they are not developmentally ready. We

have found rekenreks, Digi-Blocks, and number balances to be powerful tools for developing number

sense and a deep understanding of the arithmetic operations in a manner wholly consistent with the K-3

content standards and the mathematical practices standards. We will share tasks, video clips, and sam-

ples of student work.

21. 9 - 12 Room 259

Engaging Students in the Geometry Classroom: A Hands-on Approach

Steven Solazzo, Maryvale High School

The goal of this presentation is to share simple, yet effective, hands-on activities that will help students

develop the understanding of new concepts in the geometry classroom. This will be accomplished by

building simple models as well as using tools common to the study of Geometry.

2 of 2 DOUBLE SESSION 1:45 - 3:30

SAMC

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Attendees...

Your feedback is appreciated! Please respond to the conference survey by scanning the QR

code below.

Don’t forget to pick up your whiteboards before leaving today! Thank you for coming!

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A special thank you to

SUNY Buffalo State College, the School of Education,

the School of Natural & Social Sciences,

and the SUNY Master Teacher Program

for all of their support and to

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing

for sponsoring our conference.